Exchange In The Hive

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Regrets 2012

Isabella Ingham posted on her Instagram last night wishing all a Happy New Year!!!! She also posted a question on what was your biggest regret for 2012? At the moment I thought I don't typically live with regrets just mini and not so mini challenges and learnings that come at you throughout life. BUT - this morning I said to myself - no you DO have a regret for 2012 and that was leaving this blog hanging. I had every good intention to finish with write ups and photos of the final parties and print the blog and send to Seema BUT that didn't happen. BIG REGRET!!

Here are my excuses why...
Uploading my photos takes way too long as I haven't removed any for 2 years.... Took care of that this morning and now my camera will be quick to upload AND all the photos from the parties are nicely in labeled folders.

Too soon after the kiddos left and it didn't seem like having a look back at the fun would help them as they transistioned to their home countries and had "reverse" culture shock - this was just a lame excuse.

I would forget about this project and move into others that seemed more important - not true!!!

Life - often just life gets in the way... you get busy living and forget and don't make the time for the things are are truly the most important.

So here it is folks - in 2013 to put my regret to rest - the final entries of this chapter of Exchange in the Hive. It was an amazing year and I look back with no regrets just wonderful memories of each and every student that came in to my life through opening my home up to one fantastic student, Miss Seema Yousaf (Pakistan)

I love you all so much and wish you all the best and look foward to many years of sharing your life journeys all over the world.

Mama La.

PS - big thanks to Isabella Ingham for giving me the incentive to get this done!!!

Airport goodbyes

These were the hardest goodbyes - watching both Gabriel & Seema walk through security (in those stupid blue shirts). You know they have so much ahead of them and so hard to leave a wonderful and fun year.

We miss you and love you!!!!

One more goodbye party...of course

We had to have one last hurrah and party the night before Seema & Gabriel departed... so an ice cream blast was in order. It was truly the last time to say goodbye and share the love that was so abundant. Thanks to all that came over to say goodbye.

Big daddy Dan aka her driving buddy :)

The boys - cute aren't they!!!

Myra & Ed Hansen with Seema

Heidi, Scott, Hailey & Isabella Ingham with Seema

Elizabeth & Sonja with Seema

Lori and Gabriel

Khalid & Sparkle

Uncle Joe Joe

Seema & Magi saying goodbye

Seema & Bentley saying goodbye

Saying goodbye is hard hard hard.

International goodbye

In June (2012) Joe and Alex were lovely to host the International Exchange student going away extravaganza!!! Cammy left first, then Lamiaa, then Gabriel & Seema and last to go to their home countries were Amrin and Khalid. It was hard to let them go but rewarding to know all that they learned and experienced while in the USA.

Everyone brought international food and we partied the night away with yes - lots of music and tears. Big shout out to Joe & Alex for being the awesome Uncles to many kiddos!!!

LeAndra, Seema & Raili

Gabriel takes this Grandmother thing seriously!!!

3 of the cutest kids on the planet!!!!

Khalid hidding his new hair cut

Laurie & Amrin

Look it is Roger, Lori & Joe in the garden

Horse whisperers

The Larsons with Lamiaa

Scott, Seema, Lamiaa & Gina

DeeDee & Bob with Cammy

Caroline & Ava with Seema

The Falvos & the Girls

Elizabeth, Miss America Kelly & the girls!!!

Linda and Seema

Miss Marissa & Seema

David and the girls

These crazy kids.

American flag with well wishes and goodbyes.

Love this so much!!!!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Golfing on Father's Day

Written by Guest Bloggers: Joe & Alex

Uncles Joe & Alex decided to take Seema golfing on Father's Day. In honor of all father's and the U.S. Open we thought Seema should engage in this great sport. We also were happy that Debra and Louie came with us on this beautiful day. There is a clear level of golfing experience from best to needs improvement: Louie, Alex, Debra, Seema & Joe. After hole 5, Seema said, "Oh this game is easy." All in all, we lost a few balls, bought some bundt pans, and had a great day.

Golfers ready to conquer the day.

Just like Webb Simpson, Seema needed to check to see if there was a break in the green. On her first hole she hit her first Par 3!

Debra taking a swing. Watch out Louie!

We all lost a few balls to the water, except Louie of course.

Golfers tired and ready for a nap.

Of course while we are headed home, we have to stop at Seema's first estate sale!
Look at the pretty bundt pans she found.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Lamiaa is 18 - well depends on what calendar you use.

June 4 - 2012

According to the Islamic calendar Lamiaa Hadi is 18 - However, that isn't the calendar typically used - so she is still 17 until August 7th. Yet, her wonderful host parentes DeeDee and Bob threw her a party to celebrate. She loves the University of Utah Union Building Bowling Alley - so off we went.

Now - let's be perfectly clear - no one at the party are good bowlers but all of them are good PARTY people. I think the high score was 119 by a THIRD GRADER. hmmm... she had the bumpers up which is an obvious advantage.

Happy Birthday Ms. Miaa whenever you choose to celebrate.

And for the record - pictures of people bowling tend to be funny!!!